Taylor was unbeaten on 235 at stumps on the third day of the second Test against Australia at the WACA Ground yesterday.

In reply to Australia's formidable 559 for nine declared on a placid wicket, the Kiwis were 510 for six at stumps, trailing by just 49 runs. Twenty five-year-old Kane Williamson became one of the four youngest players to reach 12 Test centuries when he made 166.

The innings came just under 12 months since his previous Test century and relieved the pressure on Taylor after a recent lean run by his standards. It was the first time a Kiwi had made a double century against Australia and was also the highest score by a visiting player at the WACA.

New Zealand batting coach Craig McMillan said he always believed Taylor would return to his best. "It was an immense innings and it had been brewing for some time," he said.

'Class is permanent'"(Taylor) had been a little bit short of time in the middle and runs, but as they say form is temporary and class is permanent. That got shown today, his tempo was superb and some of those straight cover drives were the best you would see from any played in the world. You'd have to rank it right up there as one of New Zealand's best Test knocks."

Kane Williamson, who made 166 and put on 265 for the third wicket with Taylor — a New Zealand record against Australia — echoed McMillan's sentiments. "It would be one of the best innings I have seen," he said. "The tempo he batted and the length of time he has been at the crease."